Library Content Brainstorm for 2026

Turn 2026 Marketing Trends into Practical Library Social Media Content!

By Julia Giantomasi

Published February 13, 2026

Last month we blogged the marketing trends for the new year. This month, let’s dive into some more specific content ideas that can be used by your library, inspired by the 2026 trends!

Quick Picks Video Series

Create a 15-30 second video with book recommendations, new arrivals, staff picks or upcoming events. This is something simple that can be done several times a week. It’s helpful to patrons who might not have the time to browse or are looking for a certain genre. Patrons also value the opinion of their librarians and if something is highly recommended, they’ll want to check it out too! These videos don’t need a lot of planning or polish, just hit record and show a cover, a bunch of books, or what’s going on in the library at that moment. It’s casual and makes the average scroller feel more connected to what’s going on in your library.

Why It Works: Short-form video is highly engaging, quick to produce, and fits the current mobile scrolling culture.

Behind The Scenes or Day in the Life

Taking viewers behind the scenes not only gives them a deeper understanding of all that you do, but it also makes them feel like they’re getting a special peek behind the curtain. Through these types of posts, you can highlight library staff members, specific archives, cataloging work, or special collections. Best done through video (but remember to keep it short) you can give followers a taste of what a typical day looks like. Even if that day may seem monotonous to you, it could be interesting for someone to find out some of the historical collections that are being digitized or collections that are curated.

Why It Works: This engages your community and shows a more authentic side to your library, which resonates with people and builds connection.

Community-Driven Content

Everything doesn’t always have to be about you as a library! Your patrons and your community are a big piece of who you are, and shining the spotlight on them could be a great way to create more of a two-way interaction. If you start a “Quick Picks” series with staff members, try also doing a “Community Picks” series to complement it. Put out a call for patrons to submit book reviews, highlight community stories or other local businesses, and recap small interest group meetings or programs. Sharing photos or videos of a study group, book club, or story time can show someone who might be considering participating what that would look like and they’ll join in next time!

Why It Works: Centering your community leverages your patrons as advocates and builds ownership and connection.

Visual How-To’s

This might take a little more time to create than hitting record but will be worth it when the content is saved or shared. Creating visuals or infographics that describe how to use library resources are helpful for followers and simple for them to comprehend quickly in this fast-paced visual era. Topics could include how to get started researching family history, how to borrow digital books, how to get homework help, how to sign up for a library card, how to prepare for tests, how to start your own business, how to find a job, etc. Make sure these visuals include social SEO-optimized captions to help those using search engines find this valuable information as well.

Why It Works: Visual content is more shareable and easier to digest than long text and hitting the right keywords in your caption will make the information easier to find for those who might not follow you.

In-Person Micro Clubs

The general public has remote fatigue! Bring people together again based on their interests. Reading clubs, genealogy or local history buffs, makers, teen coders, the options are endless! Find out what your patrons are most interested in through surveys or conversations and organize one day a week for these interest-based groups to get together at your library. Market these groups through social media and email, then recap through video or photo after the fact.

Why It Works: It brings your community together and encourages engagement and repeat visits.

Trying any of these ideas will hit on the social media trends of 2026, increase your engagement, and create a variety in the type of content that you’re sharing. Don’t be afraid to combine ideas or create a short shareable video on a topic followed by a longer-form video or deep-dive infographic giving more details on the same topic. Just because followers like to scroll and consume quickly doesn’t mean they wouldn’t want to learn more about something that truly interests them. Experiment with your content and see what resonates the most with your followers.